Earlier today, Apple took the stage in Cupertino to announce their new iPads. The iPad Mini and iPad Air. So we thought we’d add them to our Android Tablet Comparison series so you know which one is the better tablet. Now we are going to try and not be so biased since we are an Android site, don’t be surprised if the Android tablet always wins these comparisons. First up is the ASUS Google Nexus 7(2013) from vs the iPad Mini from Apple.
Specs
Hardware
Nexus 7: The Nexus line isn’t really known for having top of the line specs, but they do usually have some pretty good specs. The Nexus 7 has a quad-core processor along with 2GB of RAM on board and an amazing 1080p display. Making it look really nice. It’s also very lightweight and easy to hold.
iPad Mini: The iPad and other iOS devices have never been known for their specs, unless Apple can somehow market them. Like the Retina display and now the 64-bit CPU. The iPad Mini does have a 64-bit processor, but as we stated with the iPhone announcement last month, the 64-bit processor really doesn’t mean anything at this point. Other than that, the specs on the iPad Mini are very 2011-ish for tablets.
Advantage: Nexus 7
Display
Nexus 7: The Nexus 7 has a 1920×1200 resolution display, which is a bit higher than 1080p, but that’s what Google and ASUS are marketing it as. It’s a really nice looking display. Having owned one since launch day, I really love my Nexus 7’s display. Since it’s an IPS display it gets very bright.
iPad Mini: The iPad Mini has a 2048×1536 resolution display, which is the same as their bigger iPad. It’s also more pixels and more pixels per inch than the Nexus 7, and both are IPS displays so they both are very bright.
Advantage: iPad Mini
Software
Nexus 7: The Nexus 7 is running stock Android 4.3. Which means no special software from ASUS or even the carriers. You also get quick updates directly from Google which is really awesome. In a lot of ways, Android is far ahead of Apple’s iOS.
iPad Mini: It’s running iOS 7, which arguably has a lot of features of Android 4.0 released in the fall of 2011. Which was also borrowed from WebOS and others. Usually the iPads come out with a .1 update over the iPhones, but it looks like it’ll still be on the very colorful iOS 7. Which is pretty limited, when you see everything that Android can do.
Advantage: Nexus 7
Cameras
Nexus 7: The Nexus 7 added a back camera this year which is a 5MP camera. There’s also a 1.2MP camera on the front, which isn’t the best camera, but it does provide nice and clear video chats through Skype, Hangouts and other apps.
iPad Mini: This one has a 5MP camera on the back as well and a 0.9MP camera on the front. Apple says it’s a great camera, so who am I to disagree with them? Remember megapixels aren’t all the rage, since the iPhone 5S has a 8MP camera and is easily the best smartphone camera available.
Advantage: Nexus 7
Price
Nexus 7: Starting at $229 for 16GB
iPad Mini: Starting at $399 for 16GB
Advantage: Nexus 7
Final Thoughts
These tablets definitely serve different people. The Nexus 7 is much cheaper and almost half the price of the iPad, but that doesn’t mean it’s a “cheap, crappy tablet” as some would say. If you think I’m wrong, go ahead and prove me wrong. But for your money, I think the Nexus 7 is a better buy.